Position Title
In Memoriam
Professor Emeritus
1943-2019
JOHN MARCUS LABAVITCH
Birth: October 15, 1943, Cincinnati, Ohio
Death: September 24, 2019, Davis, California
Education
- B.A., Biology, Wabash College (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa)
- Ph.D., Biological Sciences, Stanford University
Employment
- Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Colorado
- UC Davis, 1976-2014, Active emeritus through 2019
- Assistant Professor, Department of Pomology
- Associate Professor, Department of Pomology
- Professor, Department of Pomology/Plant Sciences
- Professor Emeritus, Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, 2014–2019
Honors, Awards, and Professional Societies
- Distinguished Teaching Award for Graduate and Professional Teaching, UC Davis Academic Senate, 2015
Research Contributions and Impact
John Labavitch was internationally recognized for his research on plant cell walls and their role in fruit ripening, development, plant-pathogen interactions, and biofuel production. He pioneered structural analysis methods for polysaccharides, advancing understanding of how cell walls change during ripening or infection. His group described proteins that inhibit pathogen enzymes responsible for degrading cell walls, contributing to strategies for crop resistance. He also investigated how pectin-derived oligosaccharides act as signals in ripening, bridging basic plant biology with applied agricultural solutions.
Publications and Scholarly Leadership
- Authored numerous highly cited papers on fruit physiology, plant-pathogen interactions, and biofuel production
- Developed assays and methodologies widely adopted in plant biology and postharvest research
Teaching and Mentorship
John was deeply committed to teaching undergraduate and graduate students, developing and leading core courses in the Plant Biology and Horticulture & Agronomy graduate programs. He was widely admired for his ability to link fundamental plant biology to real-world agricultural problems, as well as for his optimism, enthusiasm, and dedication to student success.
Collaboration and Community
Labavitch was known for his generosity with his expertise and openness to collaboration across disciplines and institutions. He maintained a strong mentoring presence even after retirement, supporting students, colleagues, and international research partners. He also contributed to the Plant Sciences community through departmental service and outreach.
Legacy
John Labavitch’s career advanced both fundamental plant biology and applied agricultural science. His pioneering research on plant cell walls continues to shape postharvest biology, fruit quality research, and plant resistance strategies. His legacy also endures in the many students and colleagues he inspired with his dedication, generosity, and passion for science.
References
For additional tributes, interviews, and biographies, see the following resources: